Nursing nipple



Dec. 10, 1963 A. c. BARR ETAL NURSING NIPPLE Filed Aug. 3. 1960 m/mms MAN uw United States Patent Olice 3,113,569 Patented Dec. 10, 1963 3,113,569 NURSING NIPPLE Arthur C. Barr and Norma K. Barr, both of 111 King St., Madison, Wis. Filed Aug. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 47,274 7 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 252) This invention relates to improvements in nursing nipples.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a nursing nipple which will readily conform to an infants mouth during feeding to provide a comfortable nipple and to inhibit drawing of air past the nipple during feeding.

Another object of this invention is to provide a nipple having an oblong cross-section and which is shaped to provide improved ilexibility in a direction along the minor transverse axis of the oblong nipple so that the infant can partially close its mouth and laterally compress the nipple during feeding.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective arrangement for preventing cornplete collapse of the nipple when it is laterally compressed during feeding, to assure a continuous ilow of liquid from the bottle to the tip of the nipple.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide a nursing nipple having an oblong cross-section and a base flange for attaching the nipple to the mouth of a bottle, and in which the base flange has a greater radial extent adjacent the minor transverse axis of the nipple to resiliently support the base of the nipple and thereby facilitate lateral compression of the nipple during feeding and to also permit limited tilting of the nipple relative to the longitudinal axis of the bottle so that the nipple can more readily conform to the infants mouth.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through a nursing bottle and nipple taken on the plane along the major transverse axis of the oblong nipple;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the nursing bottle and nipple taken on a plane transverse to the plane of FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the nursing nipple and cap taken on the plane 3-3 of FIGURE l;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the nipple taken on the plane 4 4 of FIGURE 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View through the nursing bottle and nipple and illustrating the same during use;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View through the base of the nursing nipple illustrating in phantom lines the manner in which the nipple laterally compresses during use, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through a modified form of nipple.

The nursing nipple in general includes a bulbous base i flange portion 17 is threaded on the bottle to clamp the base flange 12 of the nipple to the mouth of the bottle.

In accordance with the present invention, the base portion 1li of the nipple is formed with an oblong crosssection. The oblong conguration of the nipple extends from its point of juncture with the base flange 12 upwardly along the base portion 16 of the nipple and, advantageously, into the feeding tip 11 as is clearly shown in FIG. 4. The base llange 12 has a circular periphery to rest upon the mouth end of the bottle 13, and, since the base portion of the nipple has an oblong configuration at its point of juncture with the base flange, the base flange has a greater radial extent adjacent the minor transverse axis of the nipple than adjacent its major transverse axis. The base flange 12 is formed with a thickerred circular rim 21 at its outer periphery to form a seal with the mouth of the bottle, and which thickened rim is connected to the base portion of the nipple by a relatively thin web portion 22. The rirn 21 has a substantially uniform radial width and is substantially wider adjacent the minor transverse axis or" the nipple than adjacent its major transverse axis. The thin web portion 22 resiliently supports the nipple and, by reason of Wide radial extent of the flange along the minor transverse axis of the nipple. The flange is adapted to stretch and Hex to enable lateral compression of the nipple and also tilting of the nipple relative to the bottle without withdrawing the rim portion 21 of the flange from the mouth of the bottle. Thus, the nipple can readily conform to the infants mouth during feeding.

The oblong base portion 10 of the nipple is formed with transversely convex end Walls 23 and interconnecting side Walls 24. The side and end Walls converge toward each other in a direction away from the base flange 12 and merge with the feeding tip 11 as best shown in FIG. 3. The side Walls 24 have a markedly diilerent curvature than the end walls 23 and, at the point of juncture therewith define corners 26 which are rounded somewhat to eliminate sharp edges. The side walls 24 have a substantially straight cross-section as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The arcuate end walls 23 extend closely adjacent the inner periphery of the cap flange 17 at a point adjacent the major transverse axis of the nipple and the end walls have a somewhat smaller radius of curvature than the inner opening in the flange 17 so that the corners 26 of the nipple are spaced from the cap ilange. The cross-sectional configuration of the nipple having substantially flattened side walls can be more easily compressed in a direction along its minor transverse axis than the conventional nipple having a circular cross-section so that the infant can partially close its mouth around the nipple during feeding. As the nipple is laterally compressed in a direction along its minor transverse axis, the side walls 24 of the nipple move toward each other and the end walls 23 spread outwardly as shown in phantom in FIG. 6 to more completely iill the infants mouth and inhibit the drawing of air around the nipple.

Since infants do not always take the entire nipple into their month and may only utilize the feeding tip 11, the latter is also advantageously formed with a crosssection somewhat similar to the cross-section of the base portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the opposed sides 11a are generally flattened and merge with arcuate end Walls 11b.

A retaining flange 31 is provided on the base portion 10 of the nipple in spaced relation to the base ange 12 to engage the flange portion 17 of the cap and releasably retain the nipple in position on the cap. As shown in FIG. 4, the retaining flange 31 is provided only adjacent the arcuate end walls 23 and does not in FIG. 4. When the vent openings are located in this portion of the ange, the radial stretching and lateral flexing of the web portion 22 of the base flange, during feeding of the infant, will break any milk seal which forms in the openings to thereby assure that the vent openings will be open during feeding. In order to prevent complete collapse of the nipple when it is laterally compressed and to thereby assure a continuous flow of liquid from the bottle 13 to the feeding tip, there are provided diagonally extending ribs 3S on the inner walls of the nipple. The ribs are formed on the flattened sides 24 of the nipple and extend crosswise of each other so as to engage and prevent complete collapse of the nipple. Since the cross ribs 3S engage each other to assure maintaining a flow passage to the tip of the nipple, the ribs can be small in cross-section as shown in the drawings so that the ribs do not materially stillen or rigidify the nipple. One or more feed openings 39 are provided in the tip of the nipple.

The nipple shown in FIG. 7 is generally similar to the nipple shown in FIGS. 1-6 and like numerals followed by the subscript are utilized to designate corresponding parts. As in the preceding embodiment, the nipple includes a base portion 16', a feeding tip 11 and a base flange 12. The base flange is formed with a circular rim portion 21 which is connected to the base portion of the nipple by a web 22 and vent openings 33 are provided in the web. The base portion 1li of the nipple also includes arcuate end walls 23 and side walls 24. The end walls 23' have substantially the same shape as in the previous embodiment. However, the side walls are arched inwardly a slight amount, as viewed in cross-section, to provide a small concavity at opposite sides of the nipple. Cross ribs 3S are also provided on inner sides of the concave side walls 24 of the nipple to prevent complete collapse of the nipple during feeding.

From the foregoing it s apparent that the cross-sectional configuration of the nipple permits free flexing of the nipple in a direction along its minor transverse axis to enable the infants mouth to partially close around the nipple during feeding. Moreover, the mounting of the nipple, in which the base flange has relatively wide radial extent along the minor transverse axis of the nipple, permits radial compression and tilting of the nipple without pulling the rim 21 of the base flange out of engagement with the bottle mouth. The vent openings 33 are positioned in the base flange adjacent the minor transverse axis of the nipple so that the normal stretching and working of the nipple flange during feeding will tend to break any milk seal in the vent openings. The cross ribs 38 effectively prevent complete collapse of the nipple when it is radially compressed and assure a continuous flow of liquid to the feeding tip.

We claim:

1. A nursing nipple comprising a base flange, said nipple having an enlarged base portion including a pair of thin substantially flat side walls intersecting said base flange and extending upwardly therefrom in relatively converging relation, said flattened side walls being relatively wide at the juncture with said base flange and decreasing in width in a direction away from said base flange, said base portion also including thin transversely arcuate end walls intersecting said base flange and extending upwardly therefrom in relatively converging relation, said side walls of said base portion being spaced apart at each point therealong a distance less than the spacing between said arcuate end walls to provide a base portion having an oblong internal and external configuration, said nipple having a reduced neck portion extending upwardly from said base portion and a tip portion on the upper end of said neck portion, the crosssection of which tip portion is greater than said neck portion.

2. A nursing nipple of the type having a base flange, an enlarged hollow base portion extending upwardly from the base flange, an inwardly depressed hollow neck portion merging smoothly with the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a feeding tip on the upper end of the neck portion having a cross-section larger than the neck portion and smaller than the base portion, characterized in that the base portion has an oblong cross-section throughout its length and defines an oblong internal opening at its juncture with said base flange, said base portion including thin transversely arcuate end walls extending upwardly and inwardly from the base flange and thin substantially flat side walls spaced apart at each point therealong a distance less than the spacing between said end walls at a corresponding point, said flat side walls extending upwardly and inwardly from said base flange in relatively converging relation and being wider adjacent said base flange than adjacent said neck portion of the nipple, said base flange having a thickened generally circular peripheral rim portion adapted to be clamped to the mouth of a bottle and a relatively thinner web portion extending between the rim portion and the base portion, said thin web portion having a greater radial extent adjacent said flattened side walls than adjacent said arcuate end walls to facilitate lateral compression of said side walls and also limited tilting of the nipple relative to the longitudinal axis of the flange rim during feeding.

3. A nursing nipple of the type having a base flange, an enlarged hollow base portion extending upwardly from the base flange, an inwardly depressed hollow neck portion merging smoothly with the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a feeding tip on the upper end of the neck portion having a cross-section larger than the neck portion and smaller than the base portion, characterized in that the base portion has an oblong cross-section and defines an oblong internal opening at its juncture with said base flange, said base portion including thin transversely arcuate end walls extending upwardly and inwardly in relatively converging relation from said base flange and thin generally flattened side walls extending upwardly and inwardly from said base flange in relatively converging relation, said flattened side walls being wider adjacent said base flange than adjacent said neck portion, said end walls having a radius of curvature at each point along their juncture with said side walls which is greater than the spacing between each side wall and the centerline of the nipple at the respective point to provide well defined corners at the juncture of the side and end walls and which corners extend upwardly and inwardly in relatively converging relation along the base position.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said side walls of the base portion have a substantially straight crosssection.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said side walls of the base portion are arched inwardly as viewed in cross-section to provide a shallow concave face at each side of the base portion of the nipple.

6. A nursing nipple of the type having a base flange, an enlarged hollow base portion extending upwardly from the base flange, an inwardly depressed hollow neck portion merging smoothly with the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a feeding tip on the upper end of the neck portion having a cross-section larger than the neck portion and smaller than the base portion, characterized in that the base portion has an oblong cross-section and defines an oblong internal opening at its juncture with said base flange, said base portion including thin transversely arcuate end walls .extending upwardly and inwardly in relatively converging relation from said base flange and thin generally flattened side walls extending upwardly and inwardly from said base flange in relatively converging relation, said flattened side walls being wider adjacent said base flange than adjacent said neck portion, said end walls having a radius 0f curvature at each point along their juncture with said side walls which is greater than the spacing between each side wall and the centerline of the nipple but less than the radial spacing between the end walls and the centerline of the nipple at the respective point therealong to provide well defined corners at the juncture of the side and end Walls and which corners extend upwardly and inwardly in relatively converging relation.

7. A nursing nipple comprising a base ange, said nipple having an enlarged base portion including a pair of thin substantially at side walls intersecting said base flange and extending upwardly therefrom in relatively converging relation, said flattened side walls being relatively wide at the juncture with said base ilange and decreasing in width in a direction away from said base ange, said base portion also including thin transversely arcuate end walls intersecting said base ange and eX- tending upwardly therefrom in relatively converging relation, said side Walls of said base portion being spaced apart at each point therealong a distance less than the spacing between said arcuate end Walls to provide a base portion having an oblong internal and external conguration, said nipple having a reduced neck portion eX- tending upwardly from said base portion and a tip portion on the upper end of said neck portion, the crosssection of which tip portion is greater than said neck portion, said nipple having internal ribs on the inner faces of said side walls extending oblique to the at side walls, said ribs extending crosswise of each other to intersect adjacent said neck portion of said nipple and prevent complete shut-01T of ilow from the base to the feeding tip when the side walls are pressed together during feeding.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,199 Neidlinger Feb. 16, 1897 667,738 Rosegrant Feb. 12, 1901 1,146,639 Miller July 13, 1915 1,683,246 Griiths Sept. 4, 1928 2,520,773 Muller Aug. 29, 1950 2,628,616 Ransom Feb. 17, 1953 2,803,250 Barr Aug. 20, 1957 2,816,547 Adisman Dec. 17, 1957 2,816,548 Tupper Dec. 17, 1957 2,970,595 Blanchett Feb. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 124,628 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1919 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,113,569 December 10, 1963 Arthur C Barr' et al.,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 50, for "position" read portion Signed and sealed this 26th day of May 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A NURSING NIPPLE COMPRISING A BASE FLANGE, SAID NIPPLE HAVING AN ENLARGED BASE PORTION INCLUDING A PAIR OF THIN SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SIDE WALLS INTERSECTING SAID BASE FLANGE AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM IN RELATIVELY CONVERGING RELATION, SAID FLATTENED SIDE WALLS BEING RELATIVELY WIDE AT THE JUNCTURE WITH SAID BASE FLANGE AND DECREASING IN WIDTH IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID BASE FLANGE, SAID BASE PORTION ALSO INCLUDING THIN TRANSVERSELY ARCUATE END WALLS INTERSECTING SAID BASE FLANGE AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM IN RELATIVELY CONVERGING RELATION, SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID BASE PORTION BEING SPACED APART AT EACH POINT THEREALONG A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID ARCUATE END WALLS TO PROVIDE A BASE PORTION HAVING AN OBLONG INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONFIGURATION, SAID NIPPLE HAVING A REDUCED NECK PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE PORTION AND A TIP PORTION ON THE UPPER END OF SAID NECK PORTION, THE CROSSSECTION OF WHICH TIP PORTION IS GREATER THAN SAID NECK PORTION. 